Privileged by pedigree, and bonused by pretty, Badger Starlight - younger brother to Grays Starlight and Bunnys Starlight, older brother to Gallo Del Cielo and Paddys Irish Whiskey - topped Billings Livestock Commission’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” September 22-23-24 with a $60,000 price tag.

The 1987 AQHA Bay stallion, sired by the famous King Ranch sire “Peppy San Badger” - sire of over $25 million in money earners - and out of the legendary Doc Bar daughter “Doc’s Starlight” - an NCHA Hall of Fame mare - had himself sired NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and AQHA money and point earners.

The big-time stallion sold to and will stand with Pat and Dee Doyle, St. Onge, SD.

Straight-up and honest, hauled and won on, rodeo and rope horses with worthy resumes swelled the “Top Twenty Sellers” listing as buyers continue their quest for honest and ready-to-roll livestock.

The top ten rope horses averaged $6,370.

Offering 1,030 head of horses including 111 head of “Rope Horses“ eligible to compete in the pre-sale jackpot team roping, the three-day “horse-mart” greeted over 600 registered buyers hailing from coast to coast, California to Massachusetts, Arizona to Alabama and north to Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The action-packed rope horse jackpot- designed to give the buyer and seller and honest opportunity to show and see the horses in action - hosted 115 teams with Scott Klind, Billings, MT heading on Hip 225 “Coulee Kiddo” a 94 AQHA Black Gelding offered by Terry Michel, Peerless, MT and Chris Witcher, Joliet, MT heeling aboard Hip 372 “Doc O Lucky Lynx” a 92 AQHA Red Roan Mare owned by Ashley Ouzts, Billings, MT clocking the fastest time on three head - 23.99 - and taking home the championship buckles.

The solid rope horses brought $3,200 and $3,000 respectively.

A two-time National High School Rodeo Finals qualifier in the poles, and a top-end barrel horse as well, Hip 429 “A.J.” a 92 Grade Buckskin Gelding was the “real-deal” rodeo rig.

She’s headed to college and Megan Suchy, Tryon, NE sold her extra-nice gelding to Kelly and Kimberly Dressler, Richardton, ND for $11,000.

He’s a cool cat of a different color, and Hip 355 “Duallys Ladigo” a 96 AQHA Perlino Stallion x Dual Doc and out a King Fritz bred dam came with NRHA earnings and a 100% color producing gene.

Consigned by the Diamond X Bar Ranch, Hermiston, OR, Weston Raub, Cleveland, TX purchased the horse for $9,700.

The weekend’s top selling rope horse was Hip 219 “Pendelton Bandit” a 99 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Palo Gold Bandit and out of Roan Pappose by Ole Riley.

Standing 16 hands, the finished head horse brought $8,000 and sold to Lee Greenway, The Dalles, OR.

Seven grade geldings brought $5,500 or more for an average of $7.057 - the common denominator being gentle and honest, with some color and chrome thrown in - three wore roan, two wore gray, one Matt Dillon buckskin, and the other had four, high, white socks and a bald face.

Demand for gentle ranch and stock geldings continues to be strong, while true value was again found in the younger, less experienced, plainer-type horses. Using geldings brought from $1,000 to $7,100.

Kid’s horses and ponies were all the rage, with the high selling pony bringing $3,400. Hip 487 “Bubbles” a 97 Grade Black pony gelding brought to town by Kelly Horses, Midway, UT sold to Darvin Dietz, Cody, WY.

America’s number one loose market saw the top selling loose horse bring $1,800, followed by $1,450, and $1,200. The top five on the loose averaged $1,260, top 10 at $1,003, top 20 brought $817, top 50 averaged $643, with the top 100 came in at $527.

Catalog sale averages include the top five at $19,660, top ten at $13,515, top 20 at $9722, top 50 at $6443, and the top 100 horses averaged $4774.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Fall Special Catalog Sale” set for October 27-28-29. An expanded three-day sale format will include an indoor preview, Friday, October 27 beginning at 1 p.m. Horses will sell all three days.

Featured in October will be performance horses - including barrel and pole horses, rope horses, cutters, ranch and using horses, and mini-production sale offerings.

Cattle will be available to preview the rope horses and cutting horses.

For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com